[00:01.58]1  2
[00:05.41]She was only 15 in love with bad R 'n' B
[00:08.08]She had to have vision 'cause she saw the star in me
[00:10.80]Encouraged me to write about the drama in my life
[00:13.38]To most that seems strange like something wasn't right
[00:16.12]I used to fall a victim to the lunchroom comedians
[00:19.00]Somethin' like a outcast
[00:20.48]Started smokin' weed and then
[00:22.04]
[00:22.94]I sorta fell into my own
[00:24.52]Kind of felt at home when behind the microphone
[00:26.52]
[00:27.09]But on the bus ride home that didn't mean a thing
[00:29.90]Harassed by the thugs on the corners they would hang
[00:32.98]I got banged on  I got beat down
[00:35.61]Carrying a golf club walking up the street now
[00:38.48]They respect me  they call me crazy
[00:40.93]At least I'm not gettin' punked out on the daily
[00:43.65]And when I look back I wouldn't change a thing at all
[00:45.85]Where do you think
[00:46.55]I found the strength to be speakin' to y'all
[00:48.38]I'll take everything in this life
[00:51.54](Your hopes and your dreams and your hate and your lies)
[00:55.98]
[00:58.56]I'll join everyone when I die
[01:01.89](From the old and the wise to the young that stay fly)
[01:06.18]
[01:11.22]God is love then hatin' is Satan
[01:13.84]'Cause then tight patients got me sitin' here waitin'
[01:16.64]On the day when it's okay to love
[01:18.87]When black men won't pretend that they are thugs
[01:21.71]When teachers and doctors are treated like celebrities
[01:23.78]
[01:24.31]You could get a job even if you got a felony
[01:27.15]Check out my melody  let's live in harmony
[01:29.92]We're in this together  no man has economy
[01:32.51]No man is an island  immune to the violence
[01:35.20]This rap race is no place to raise a child in
[01:38.18]What's wrong with smilin'
[01:39.33]What's wrong with peace
[01:40.79]What's wrong with squashin' beef
[01:42.03]Before they label you deceased
[01:42.92]
[01:43.95]Swallow your pride before your choke on your issues
[01:46.24]I know you got family and folks that'll miss you
[01:48.93]So don't misuse this gift you've been given
[01:51.45]This life is but a dream  you are blessed to be livin'
[01:54.43]I'll take everything in this life
[01:56.06](Your hopes and your dreams and your hate and your lies)
[02:04.23]I'll join everyone when I die
[02:07.30](From the old and the wise to the young that stay fly)
[02:13.48]
[02:14.87]And basically  man
[02:15.65]I'm just a dude that tries to do right
[02:18.40]You know I try to make my
[02:19.95]My tomorrows better than my yesterdays
[02:21.24]
[02:22.14]Without  without hurtin' anyone else in the process
[02:25.24]'Cause if you leave the world a better place
[02:27.19]Then it was when you got here then we all win
[02:29.89]Now there's birth
[02:30.73]And there's death but the space in between us
[02:32.49]Where the journey takes place and you give it all meanin'
[02:35.18]It's waitin' on us all  there's no need to pretend
[02:37.73]No feedom in the feelin' where you're fearin' the end
[02:40.45]All good things come to it  walk don't run to it
[02:43.71]Times you want to end it yourself  don't do it
[02:46.51]Be original  be different
[02:49.14]Be the one to stand up and shock this system
[02:51.01]I'll take everything in this life
[02:53.63](Your hopes and your dreams and your hate and your lies)
[02:58.73]
[03:01.19]I'll join everyone when I die
[03:04.25](From the old and the wise to the young that stay fly)
[03:08.26]I'll take everything in this life
[03:20.57]I'll join everyone 'cause all men die